IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 592 

Calling for free and fair elections in Ukraine, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 21, 2014 

Ms. KAPTUR (for herself, Mr. GERLACH, Mr. LEVIN, and Mr. QUIGLEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Calling for free and fair elections in Ukraine, and for other 

purposes. 

Whereas democracy, human rights, and civil liberties are universal values and fundamental principles of the foreign 

policy of the United States; 

Whereas an essential element of democratic self-government 

is for leaders to be chosen and regularly held accountable 

through elections that are organized and conducted in a 

manner that is free, fair, inclusive, and consistent with 

international standards; 

Whereas governments in which power does not derive from 

free and fair elections lack democratic legitimacy; 

Whereas elections in Ukraine have previously involved restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and associaVerDate Mar 15 2010 03:43 May 22, 2014 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR592.IH HR592

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•HRES 592 IH 

tion, including censorship, surveillance, lack of transparency, and the absence of a free media; 

Whereas, on February 22, 2014, the Ukrainian Parliament 

voted under its constitutional authority to remove Victor 

Yanukovych from the post of President of Ukraine; and 

Whereas authorities in Ukraine have called for a Presidential 

election to be held on May 25, 2014: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) greatly values the warm and close relation3 ship the United States has established with Ukraine 

4 since that country regained its independence in 

5 1991; 

6 (2) reaffirms the commitment of the United 

7 States to democracy, human rights, civil liberties, 

8 and the rule of law, including the universal rights of 

9 freedom of assembly, freedom of speech, freedom of 

10 the press, and freedom of association; 

11 (3) expresses support for freedom, human 

12 rights, civil liberties, and rule of law in Ukraine, and 

13 for elections that are free and fair; 

14 (4) expresses strong support for the people of 

15 Ukraine in their peaceful calls for a representative 

16 and responsive democratic government that respects 

17 human rights, civil liberties, and the rule of law; 


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•HRES 592 IH 

1 (5) condemns the interference of foreign agi2 tators in pre-election activities that have disrupted 

3 security throughout Ukraine; 

4 (6) calls on the Government of Ukraine to re5 spect freedom of expression and association by— 

6 (A) holding elections that are free, fair, 

7 and responsive to the people of Ukraine, includ8 ing by refraining from disqualifying candidates 

9 for political reasons; and 

10 (B) ensuring freedom of the press, assem11 bly, association, and expression; 

12 (7) calls on the Government of Ukraine to allow 

13 international election monitors to be present for the 

14 May 25, 2014, election; and 

15 (8) urges the President of the United States, 

16 the Secretary of State, and other world leaders— 

17 (A) to express support for the rights and 

18 freedoms of the people of Ukraine, including to 

19 democratic self-government; 

20 (B) to engage with the people of Ukraine 

21 and support their efforts to promote human 

22 rights and democratic reform, including sup23 porting civil society organizations that promote 

24 democracy and governance; 


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•HRES 592 IH 

1 (C) to support policies and programs that 

2 preserve free and open access to the press and 

3 Internet in Ukraine; and 

4 (D) to condemn elections that are not free 

5 and fair and that do not meet international 

6 standards. 

Æ 


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